Fee hikes ease proposed court budget cuts

The financial vista for Utah's court system looked bleak at the beginning of this Legislative session, but an increase in two different court-related fees will fill the coffers sufficiently to avoid such measures as hundreds of employee layoffs, unpaid furloughs for remaining workers and closing courthouses.

The court system had been facing a 19 percent budget cut in fiscal year 2010, or about $22 million, which would have called for substantial layoffs. That would be especially problematic since the system is busier than ever with court filings up 17 percent this year. Many are related to the nation's dire economy, either directly or indirectly, and include such things as contract disputes, divorce, debt collection and auto accident litigation.

However, legislators have given the go-ahead to hike the filing fees for civil lawsuits. Another House bill that looks like it will get Senate approval, HB455, will add $8 to an existing $32 security court cost that already is paid by people convicted in criminal and traffic matters.

"Those fee increases will bring the amount (that needs to be cut) down to around $6.5 million," said Daniel Becker, who oversees the Administrative Office of the Courts. The Utah Judicial Council had already planned for $5.5 million in reductions, so it will be manageable to slash another $1.5 million, Becker said.

"The passage of these fee bills is very good news for the courts," Becker said.

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